Latest news with #RiyadBenAyad
CAF
06-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
USM Alger end 12-year drought with historic Algerian Cup triumph
Published: Saturday, 05 July 2025 USM Alger clinched their ninth Algerian Cup title with a commanding 2-0 win over Chabab Belouizdad in Saturday's final at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers. First-half goals from Riyad Ben Ayad and Ahmed Khaldi were enough to seal the victory for USM Alger, who lifted the trophy for the first time since 2013 and equalled CS Belouizdad's record of nine cup titles. The capital club came into the final determined to end their silverware drought, and their intent showed early. Just nine minutes in, Ben Ayad capitalised on a defensive error by Youssef Laouafi to put USM Alger ahead with a calm finish past goalkeeper Mustapha Zaghba. Four minutes later, Khaldi doubled the lead, finishing off another incisive attack that left the Belouizdad defence flat-footed. Despite being the defending champions, CS Belouizdad struggled to find rhythm and failed to mount a significant response throughout the first half. USM Alger controlled proceedings with composure, limiting their opponents to half chances. The second half saw more balanced exchanges, but neither side managed to convert opportunities into goals. Hossam Ghacha thought he had added a third for USM Alger, only for VAR to rule out the goal. The match ended 2-0, securing USM Alger's third win over Chabab Belouizdad in a cup final, having previously triumphed in the 1988 and 2003 editions. In contrast, Belouizdad had beaten USM Alger in finals in 1969, 1970, and 1978. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune presented the trophy to USM captain Saadi Redouani, as jubilant fans celebrated a long-awaited return to glory. Both USM Alger and CS Belouizdad will now turn their attention to continental ambitions in the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
CAF
03-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
CS Constantine, USM Alger share the spoils
Constantine Sports Club and USM Alger shared the spoils in a highly tactical Algerian derby on Wednesday evening's TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final clash played at the Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine. The hosts, with the backing of the CS Constantine faithful were the first to draw blood on the 29th minute through a well taken Mounder Temine much to the delight of the green and black of Constantine. The hosts could have levelled matters in the 40th minute when Riyad Ben Ayad almost found the back of the net but was unfortunate to be denied. Going into the break, the hosts looked to be well in control of the tie, with a number of good goalscoring opportunities coming their way. The hosts were punished for not converting their chances towards the closing stages when Kevin Mondeko drew level in the 73rd minute to the heartbreak of the hosts. The late goal sees the former champions going back to Algers with confidence boosting draw that will put them in a slightly advantageous position when they hosts their Algerian counterparts next week in the return leg. The second leg will take place at the 5 July Stadium in Algiers.
